Biography
Rob Donaldson is the Chief Executive Officer of RSM UK. An M&A specialist by background, he has worked in practice for almost 30 years. He is a firm believer in RSM providing the highest quality service it can and in the need to constantly innovate and nurture internal talent.
Rob’s RSM story started as an audit trainee in 1990, before he left to join KPMG in 1996. In 1999, he returned home to build an M&A offering from the ground up. After 20 years leading our national corporate finance and restructuring advisory businesses, Rob was appointed to the role of RSM UK CEO in April 2020.
Ask him what makes a good leader and Rob will cite a respect for others' opinions and the courage to change direction when shown a better way – qualities that underpin his vision for the firm.
“Management requires a sense of empathy, duty, and humility. It also requires an ability to listen and to pivot away from decisions if they’re not working or just wrong. I aim to display those attributes to the best of my ability.”
Outside of work, Rob likes to play squash, walk the dog, escape into a good film, and cook – although he usually needs a glass of wine to make that happen. On a good day, he might even go to the gym.
Rob's RSM timeline:
- 2020: became Chief Executive Officer
- 2014: became Head of Corporate Finance for National
- 2011: became Head of Corporate Finance for London
- 1999: became Head of M&A and Private Equity
- 1999: re-joined as Director for Corporate Finance, M&A, and Private Equity
- 1990: joined as Audit Trainee
The Loop podcast: Untangling international business
In this episode with host Jon Cronin, Rob Donaldson and Clare Spencer you can find out expanding your business internationally and some of the key challenges and considerations you will be faced with, including some practical advice on how to tackle the process.